A new $21,661 X-ray security scanner will be installed at the Butler County Courthouse.

The new scanner from California-based Astrophysics will replace a machine that was donated by the State of Alabama. County officials say the old machine has become unreliable.

Astrophysics has been helping maintain the old machine.

“Last time they came here, they told us it was on its last leg and that if it went out again it just needed to be replaced,” said Sheriff Kenny Harden.

The Butler County Circuit Clerk’s office is paying $14,999 to help replace the scanner, while the Butler County District Attorney’s Office is paying $3,000.

The Butler County Commission voted on Monday to seek an opinion from the Attorney General about whether or not it would be OK to use money from the county’s capital improvement fund to purchase the scanner.

“We have a capital improvement fund that is where I was hoping to pay for the X-ray machine but the auditor did not think that would be an appropriate expenditure,” County Administrator Diane Kilpatrick said. “I was thinking it would because in the law it talks about equipping public buildings. Therefore, we are asking exactly what that term ‘equipping’ is for. We’re trying to figure out exactly what we can spend that money on.”

Kilpatrick said the county is still waiting on a installation timeline from Astrophysics.

In other business:

•  The commission approved an off premise only beer license and a tobacco only license for Heath Black Quick Stop on Hwy. 10.
• The commission approved an off premise only wine and beer license for Dollar General at 3028 Kolb City Road.
• The commission approved the transfer of $3,751.31 from Excess Land Sales Fund 2006 Tax Sale to the General Fund.